Prevalence, potential risk factors and sequelae of diastasis recti abdominis

Abstract

There is scant knowledge on diastasis recti which occurs mostly in 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Our aim was to assign the prevalence of diastasis recti and the possible risk factors and to investigate its association with some chronical diseases, like low back pain and urinary incontinence. 200 women's interrectus distance was measured who filled out a self-made diastasis recti questionnaire, the SF-36, Oswestry Disability Index and the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire - Urinary Incontinence Short Form questionnaires. Prevalence of the condition was 46.5%. In case of risk factors, relationship between number of deliveries and interrectus distance was significant. We found a significant difference in quality of life, in presence of low back pain and urinary incontinence between the normal and the abnormal group. In line with the literature we found, that diastasis recti can predispose on serious sequelae, hence on decreased quality of life. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(12), 454-460.